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Three Years in a Walmart Parking Lot
Restless sixty-nine year old Sharon Waters buys an RV, leaves everything behind except her devoted pets, and embarks on a solitary journey akin to the proverbial wandering in the desert. Her three-year trip along harrowing highways and in freezing parking lots tests her strength, ingenuity, and resilience. She digs deep into her personal marrow, meets many, and learns much along the way, but mostly it’s a search for herself. This inspiring memoir relates a wealth of practical knowledge and tells a cautionary tale for those new to RV living. For more experienced travelers, she shares familiar insights as well as ordeals they may wish to avoid. Throughout her venture, the author is comforted by her steadfast companions, two Schipperke dogs, Magic and Cricket, and a cat named Milo. By the end of her journey, Ms. Waters finds that for all her focus on RV improvement and maintenance, it’s her self-esteem and confidence that gain the most from her challenging odyssey. Her quest becomes less about reaching her destinations and more about achieving a peaceful state of mind.
- GenresNonfictionTravelMemoir
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2018
171 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 30, 2024
After reading this book, any thoughts I might have had about buying an RV and traveling cross country were banished. The author spent her three years in an RV around ten years ago, so I'm sure newer RVs are updated and improved, not to mention much more expensive. Nonetheless, since an RV serves as housing as well as transportation, any major system breaking down can cause more problems than just a large charge on your credit card.
The author went through some severe hardships during her travels. She began her trip during the winter of 2013 and suffered through the polar vortex of early 2014 with a cranky generator that would not turn on in the middle of the night to provide heat. She had to wake up every couple of hours to start the RV's engine and run it until the generator kicked in. At one point she was so exhausted she didn't wake up until the temperature inside the RV reached 20°F (that's -6.7° for you Celsius folks). During the third year, she suffered through record high temperatures when she began her trip south in September.
Those are just the lack of creature comforts that she endured. There were always repairs to do on the RV, which were considerably more expensive than car repairs. Many of the minor ones she learned to do herself. She finally decided to have a solar panel installed on the roof so she didn't have to depend solely on the generator. The man who did the job was very good at what he did, but he had some fairly unsettling character flaws, including anger management issues.
As other reviewers have noted, there is a lot of repetition which could have been resolved by having a good editor or even a literate friend read through the manuscript before publication. The actual writing is good, if you consider the individual sentences and paragraphs. But the story at times seems almost stream-of-consciousness in the way the author hops confusingly from one subject to another completely unrelated subject.
I had originally rounded up the rating from 3.25 to 4 stars, but after writing this review I dropped it down to 3. I have read a lot of memoirs, and giving this one 4 stars would be doing the better-written memoirs a disservice.
The author went through some severe hardships during her travels. She began her trip during the winter of 2013 and suffered through the polar vortex of early 2014 with a cranky generator that would not turn on in the middle of the night to provide heat. She had to wake up every couple of hours to start the RV's engine and run it until the generator kicked in. At one point she was so exhausted she didn't wake up until the temperature inside the RV reached 20°F (that's -6.7° for you Celsius folks). During the third year, she suffered through record high temperatures when she began her trip south in September.
Those are just the lack of creature comforts that she endured. There were always repairs to do on the RV, which were considerably more expensive than car repairs. Many of the minor ones she learned to do herself. She finally decided to have a solar panel installed on the roof so she didn't have to depend solely on the generator. The man who did the job was very good at what he did, but he had some fairly unsettling character flaws, including anger management issues.
As other reviewers have noted, there is a lot of repetition which could have been resolved by having a good editor or even a literate friend read through the manuscript before publication. The actual writing is good, if you consider the individual sentences and paragraphs. But the story at times seems almost stream-of-consciousness in the way the author hops confusingly from one subject to another completely unrelated subject.
I had originally rounded up the rating from 3.25 to 4 stars, but after writing this review I dropped it down to 3. I have read a lot of memoirs, and giving this one 4 stars would be doing the better-written memoirs a disservice.
February 23, 2025
Really enjoyed this book (and absolutely sobbed when Milo the cat died and went and held my cat's urn for like a half hour) as I tend to like books in general about older women who decide 'eff it' and live an unconventional way.
June 29, 2024
There are some lovely nuggets in here, but overall it’s a list of where she went/when. In terms of story, there most organized is when she shares narratives of her pets. And there are some very good tidbits of wisdom.
May 17, 2020
Just love it every about it.I also have a Rv and don’t do much with it.This is inspiring to try ,what she accomplished. Thank youPeople I know that think like I do about RVs nothing needed to change in the book needed
I also would love for her to write about her adventures after selling the RV.It is hard to come up with additional words because I said everything that I can think of no changes I liked it the way it was it was right on she was very down to earth just like us asked me my husband and myself and our two dogs and one cat only we have not got to travel yet and we are in our 70s
I also would love for her to write about her adventures after selling the RV.It is hard to come up with additional words because I said everything that I can think of no changes I liked it the way it was it was right on she was very down to earth just like us asked me my husband and myself and our two dogs and one cat only we have not got to travel yet and we are in our 70s
July 21, 2025
Only One Viewpoint, of course
The advantages of the RV life are not realized from Wal-Mart parking lot to Wal-Mart parking lot., and in in the eastern states. There are so many things to see that don't cost, so many lovely people to meet, and so many experiences the author missed.
The advantages of the RV life are not realized from Wal-Mart parking lot to Wal-Mart parking lot., and in in the eastern states. There are so many things to see that don't cost, so many lovely people to meet, and so many experiences the author missed.
October 25, 2020
Thank God for a mature woman
Loved book. It freed my spirit. Identified with the author and her pets. Her strength and intellect led her to try a different life which led her to know herself and experience 3 years of living in an RV. I am going to read it again!
Loved book. It freed my spirit. Identified with the author and her pets. Her strength and intellect led her to try a different life which led her to know herself and experience 3 years of living in an RV. I am going to read it again!
November 9, 2022
I downloaded this through Kindle Unlimited and due to the large amount of repeated content, I suspect it was self-published. But very much a lot of fun and inspiration, too.
This old woman--my age!--decides to buy herself a small RV and give up her house. And for three years she travels south in the winter and north in the summer, more or less retracing the same route. She visits with friends and relatives along the way, but her primary point of nightly residence is Walmart. Many, many Walmarts. She doesn't care to drive very far--fifty to a hundred miles a day (or less)--and so she gets up in the morning, walks her dogs, goes through her pre-departure checklist, and travels the next leg, then parks for the rest of the day.
At the time RV-ing was fairly novel and Walmart was very welcoming of overnighters. Toward the end of her three years, all that was changing, but mostly she had an easy choice of it. Not my cup of tea, but you have to admit it sure beats a retirement home!
The repetition was annoying, but not a killer. As I started a new chapter and I realized I already knew the events she was imparting, I simply skimmed forward to get to something new. In an audiobook this would be bad, but not on paper. Virtual paper.
She didn't have too many death-defying adventures, although her experience of departing an automobile ferry she ended up on by accident....well....that was a nail-biter. But mostly it was an introspective, amusing but seldom funny, sweet story.
And true.
This old woman--my age!--decides to buy herself a small RV and give up her house. And for three years she travels south in the winter and north in the summer, more or less retracing the same route. She visits with friends and relatives along the way, but her primary point of nightly residence is Walmart. Many, many Walmarts. She doesn't care to drive very far--fifty to a hundred miles a day (or less)--and so she gets up in the morning, walks her dogs, goes through her pre-departure checklist, and travels the next leg, then parks for the rest of the day.
At the time RV-ing was fairly novel and Walmart was very welcoming of overnighters. Toward the end of her three years, all that was changing, but mostly she had an easy choice of it. Not my cup of tea, but you have to admit it sure beats a retirement home!
The repetition was annoying, but not a killer. As I started a new chapter and I realized I already knew the events she was imparting, I simply skimmed forward to get to something new. In an audiobook this would be bad, but not on paper. Virtual paper.
She didn't have too many death-defying adventures, although her experience of departing an automobile ferry she ended up on by accident....well....that was a nail-biter. But mostly it was an introspective, amusing but seldom funny, sweet story.
And true.
February 19, 2023
I always appreciate honest accounts of a person's time living a different lifestyle. Waters' story of three years in an RV with her two small dogs and her cat feels very honest as she shares both the good aspects and the difficulties of this lifestyle.
Waters is in a tough spot and needs to sell her home. She decides her best choice is a secondhand 27' RV and in an effort to keep on her limited budget, she mostly forgoes rv parks in favor of free parking at Walmart and other businesses. She spends this time traveling slowly south in the winter and back north for summers. I was initially surprised at her incredibly slow pace of 50-100 miles per day, but in the end, I saw how this worked well for her. She quickly figured out that there is a steep learning curve in full time RV living without hookups.
While I enjoyed her transparency, the book could have used a good edit. There is quite a bit of repetition. I also think she confused motor homes with mobile homes when discussing the possibility of long term parking options. All that said, I think this would be a good book for anyone considering pulling up roots and heading on the road full time.
Waters is in a tough spot and needs to sell her home. She decides her best choice is a secondhand 27' RV and in an effort to keep on her limited budget, she mostly forgoes rv parks in favor of free parking at Walmart and other businesses. She spends this time traveling slowly south in the winter and back north for summers. I was initially surprised at her incredibly slow pace of 50-100 miles per day, but in the end, I saw how this worked well for her. She quickly figured out that there is a steep learning curve in full time RV living without hookups.
While I enjoyed her transparency, the book could have used a good edit. There is quite a bit of repetition. I also think she confused motor homes with mobile homes when discussing the possibility of long term parking options. All that said, I think this would be a good book for anyone considering pulling up roots and heading on the road full time.
October 6, 2024
Disappointed
At 68, having just lost my husband, I decided to try camping and traveling, having done neither. I bought a used pop up to see if I could manage and if I would like it. Traveled from NC to the GA mountains where I stayed until it was 28°. Went home, pushed the pop up in the garage, bought a used 24 ft travel trailer and took off. Traveled from Key West to Nova Scotia. The next year to Alaska and back. Now, 9 years later I’m in Salt Lake City slowing working my way back to Az after spending the last several months in the PNW.
Along the way I’ve experienced some of the same issues but haven’t become discouraged and certainly not ready to hang it up. I’ve made wonderful friends, visited half of the National Parks and enjoyed the wilderness in areas all over the country. Yes, I’ve stayed at Walmarts when I’m just passing through and need a place to sleep but I’ve also boon docked, stayed at state and private parks and occasionally with friends or family.
The author paints a pretty grim picture of this lifestyle; for me it’s been one of great adventure.
At 68, having just lost my husband, I decided to try camping and traveling, having done neither. I bought a used pop up to see if I could manage and if I would like it. Traveled from NC to the GA mountains where I stayed until it was 28°. Went home, pushed the pop up in the garage, bought a used 24 ft travel trailer and took off. Traveled from Key West to Nova Scotia. The next year to Alaska and back. Now, 9 years later I’m in Salt Lake City slowing working my way back to Az after spending the last several months in the PNW.
Along the way I’ve experienced some of the same issues but haven’t become discouraged and certainly not ready to hang it up. I’ve made wonderful friends, visited half of the National Parks and enjoyed the wilderness in areas all over the country. Yes, I’ve stayed at Walmarts when I’m just passing through and need a place to sleep but I’ve also boon docked, stayed at state and private parks and occasionally with friends or family.
The author paints a pretty grim picture of this lifestyle; for me it’s been one of great adventure.
August 31, 2021
Loved it!!!
I read a review that indicated the author didn't get enjoyment from her travels. I wonder if they read the entire book for it discussed the personal growth the author made and in the end, her sadness at leaving the RV to sell. I cried a bit when Milo died. I have a Milo whose name IS Milo. He was missing for 5 weeks and one day. I cried every day and eventually, a kind neighbor found him. I will forever be indebted to her. I loved this book and hearing about her skills as she acquired them, Milo, the dogs, and her ideas. I am unfamiliar with that dog breed and will look into them as they are active and beautiful. I loved this book and feel certain I will read it again. My thanks to the author for sharing her story.
I read a review that indicated the author didn't get enjoyment from her travels. I wonder if they read the entire book for it discussed the personal growth the author made and in the end, her sadness at leaving the RV to sell. I cried a bit when Milo died. I have a Milo whose name IS Milo. He was missing for 5 weeks and one day. I cried every day and eventually, a kind neighbor found him. I will forever be indebted to her. I loved this book and hearing about her skills as she acquired them, Milo, the dogs, and her ideas. I am unfamiliar with that dog breed and will look into them as they are active and beautiful. I loved this book and feel certain I will read it again. My thanks to the author for sharing her story.
August 31, 2024
The author writes about the time she traveled alone in an RV for about 3 years when she was 69 years old. Due to money constraints she used the Walmart parking lot as a nightly layover from city to city learning about RV traveling along the way. Her companions included her 2 dogs and 1 cat. It was an easy read but still very interesting reading about how the experience changed her physically, emotionally, and spiritually as she faced the harshness and beauty of nature, met family and friends along the way, and created tons of memories.
December 8, 2020
Interesting, probably self-published book, about the author's three-years living in an RV with her two dogs and a cat. She stayed in Walmart Parking Lots when she could and spent as little money as possible. This book was interesting and and a quick read. It had a lot of details on RV maintenance and repair and convinced me that I never, never, never want to live full-time in an RV. I hope that Ms. Waters found her perfect home. Thanks for sharing your three year adventure.
July 17, 2024
Interesting book. Mostly enjoyable although I did take issue with the author constantly trying to convince us that she had the “perfect” life living in an RV as she didn’t have to deal with ALL the nonsense and distractions everyone else does who lives in the real world and works a real job ….except the author did in fact face an entirely different set of stresses and troubles. She simply traded one for another.
April 2, 2020
Best book ever!
This book was a nice surprise..I hada hard time laying it down once I started reading..She made me wish I had the nerve to try something like this.I lived inmy moterhome but never traveled in it.She is a brave person.I am glad she did it,now she can relax And enjoy the rest of her life.I just love this life.
This book was a nice surprise..I hada hard time laying it down once I started reading..She made me wish I had the nerve to try something like this.I lived inmy moterhome but never traveled in it.She is a brave person.I am glad she did it,now she can relax And enjoy the rest of her life.I just love this life.
Read
June 28, 2020Great book
I loved this book. Her travels were fun to read about. Her problems, something that all RV' ers have The places she visited. The fun times and the bad. When she lost her cat and was so happy when she found him. I to am a cat person and my heart broke when Milo disappears. Her limited budget. A wonderful book.
I loved this book. Her travels were fun to read about. Her problems, something that all RV' ers have The places she visited. The fun times and the bad. When she lost her cat and was so happy when she found him. I to am a cat person and my heart broke when Milo disappears. Her limited budget. A wonderful book.
August 5, 2020
Not bad
The authors adventure and experiences in RV living for three years in Wal-Mart parking lots is quite a tale , she did well and survived on her own at a senior age, what more could you ask? The book was a little wordy and seemed to jump back and forth in places. But hopefully the author is well and still thriving with her dogs. Good luck.
The authors adventure and experiences in RV living for three years in Wal-Mart parking lots is quite a tale , she did well and survived on her own at a senior age, what more could you ask? The book was a little wordy and seemed to jump back and forth in places. But hopefully the author is well and still thriving with her dogs. Good luck.
February 7, 2024
Amazing Story
As we all age and wind down our lives a certain mindset and fortitude is required. Sharon Waters faces considerable odds with patience, grit and grace while expanding her mind and and adapting to change. A true adventure and honest glimpse of what survival looks like in modern America.
As we all age and wind down our lives a certain mindset and fortitude is required. Sharon Waters faces considerable odds with patience, grit and grace while expanding her mind and and adapting to change. A true adventure and honest glimpse of what survival looks like in modern America.
February 16, 2020
Interesting take on on self healing.
This is a very compelling account of what it's like to just take a time out from the stresses of every day life and try a different approach to your on happiness.
This is a very compelling account of what it's like to just take a time out from the stresses of every day life and try a different approach to your on happiness.
October 11, 2021
Interesting!
Finding yourself on the road all the while learning, learning, learning! Nicely told story of adventure and sustainability in the prime of life. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Finding yourself on the road all the while learning, learning, learning! Nicely told story of adventure and sustainability in the prime of life. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 26, 2022
RV therapy
Enjoyable read. Loved experiencing secondhand traveling by RV with two dogs and a cat for three years. Also enjoyed the inner dialogue about the personal growth she experienced traveling alone and living on her own wits.
Enjoyable read. Loved experiencing secondhand traveling by RV with two dogs and a cat for three years. Also enjoyed the inner dialogue about the personal growth she experienced traveling alone and living on her own wits.
March 27, 2023
Three years in a Wal-Mart parking lot
I recommend this book to any senior ladies thinking about hitting the road in a car, van, or rv. It speaks the truth of adventure. Its brave, courageous and fun. Killed my fear. I will be traveling in the future.
I recommend this book to any senior ladies thinking about hitting the road in a car, van, or rv. It speaks the truth of adventure. Its brave, courageous and fun. Killed my fear. I will be traveling in the future.
December 29, 2024
outstanding!
An absolute joy and inspiration to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This beautiful story gives one the push and bravery needed to get out there on the road, and the belief that if Sharon can do it, so can I.
Highly recommended.
@SimpleSlowRoad 🚍🐢🐕🦺
An absolute joy and inspiration to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This beautiful story gives one the push and bravery needed to get out there on the road, and the belief that if Sharon can do it, so can I.
Highly recommended.
@SimpleSlowRoad 🚍🐢🐕🦺
April 24, 2025
Three interesting years!
The first two-thirds of the book really kept my interest. The final one-third a bit less, but I did enjoy reading about her travels and accompanying challenges. Good for her!
The first two-thirds of the book really kept my interest. The final one-third a bit less, but I did enjoy reading about her travels and accompanying challenges. Good for her!
August 26, 2020
The book was fast reading. It was quite repetitive. I just didn't Lear much from it.
May 1, 2022
interesting challenges
I am an RV enthusiast and loved hearing her exploits. What a brave woman! She inspires me. I hope to read more from her.
I am an RV enthusiast and loved hearing her exploits. What a brave woman! She inspires me. I hope to read more from her.
May 20, 2022
I enjoyed this memoir. It inspired me to declutter and continue to try new adventures at any age! Liked the fact that the author was a senior. Also enjoyed the fur baby anecdotes. "Camping" is my favorite hobby and I really do admire the fact that Ms. Waters stepped out of her comfort zone and made this journey. I want to thank her for sharing! :)
November 11, 2023
An interesting read.
Part of her story was sad: having to leave a longtime home and finding herself the victim of a serial abuser. But most of the story is hopeful.
Part of her story was sad: having to leave a longtime home and finding herself the victim of a serial abuser. But most of the story is hopeful.
March 30, 2024
Very well written. My only complaint is there wasn't a photo of Milo the cat.
September 3, 2025
NOT AT ALL what I expected.
April 8, 2025
Sharon Waters was 69 years of age and could no longer afford the upkeep of the house she had been living in with her partner of 15 years. Their relationship had ended and so Sharon went looking for an apartment but most apartments would not take her two dogs Crickett and Magic and her cat Milo. Sharon's children were busy with their own lives and she didn't want to be a burden.
And so Sharon sold her home, bought an RV and took off with her pets, traveling south, sometimes staying a few days with friends but mostly exploring the small towns and spending her nights with Cricket, Magic and Milo in Walmart Super Center parking lots. It was a life changing experience. Proof that even when you are elderly there are still adventures out there if you can find the courage.
A good deal of Three Years In A Walmart Parking Lot (2019) is taken up with the maintenance of Sharon's RV which is not easy. But Sharon deserves so much credit for teaching herself what she needed to know. The part of the book that spoke to me the most was what Sharon learned about herself. And I am glad she took the journey and chose to share what she learned. It's inspiring.
And so Sharon sold her home, bought an RV and took off with her pets, traveling south, sometimes staying a few days with friends but mostly exploring the small towns and spending her nights with Cricket, Magic and Milo in Walmart Super Center parking lots. It was a life changing experience. Proof that even when you are elderly there are still adventures out there if you can find the courage.
A good deal of Three Years In A Walmart Parking Lot (2019) is taken up with the maintenance of Sharon's RV which is not easy. But Sharon deserves so much credit for teaching herself what she needed to know. The part of the book that spoke to me the most was what Sharon learned about herself. And I am glad she took the journey and chose to share what she learned. It's inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews